What Is a WN Grade and How Can It Affect Financial Aid?
A WN (Withdrawal Never Attended) grade is assigned when a student is registered for a course but never establishes attendance or participation in the class.
A WN is different from a regular withdrawal (WD). A WD is a withdrawal initiated by the student during the permitted withdrawal period, while a WN is assigned by the course instructor when the student has not participated in the course.
How is a WN grade assigned?
Your instructor may assign a WN if you do not attend class or complete the required initial coursework that establishes your attendance. For example, if you are enrolled in a course but never attend, log in when required, or complete the instructor’s required first assignment, you may receive a WN.
Why does a WN matter for financial aid?
Financial aid does not cover courses in which a WN grade is assigned.
A WN can lower the number of credits that count toward your financial aid enrollment status. As a result, your financial aid eligibility may be reduced or canceled.
For example, if you are registered for 12 credits but receive a WN for a 3-credit course, you may only have 9 credits that count toward your financial aid eligibility.
A WN may also affect your eligibility for programs that require you to maintain a specific enrollment level, such as ASAP or NYS TAP.
Does a WN affect my GPA or Satisfactory Academic Progress?
A WN grade does not affect your GPA. However, because a WN counts as attempted but not completed credits, it may lower your federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) & New York State TAP completion rate which could affect your future financial aid eligibility.
What should I do if I are not attending a course?
If you are no longer planning to attend a course, do not simply stop attending. Speak with your ASAP Advisor and review your options before deciding whether to drop or withdraw from the course.
If you are still planning to attend the course, make sure you establish attendance and complete any required initial assignments as soon as possible.
Important: Check your schedule
If you are registered for a course that you are not attending, contact your advisor or the appropriate college office for guidance. Do not assume that simply being registered for a course means that the course will count toward your financial aid eligibility.
Remember: A WN means Withdrawal Never Attended, and it can have a significant impact on your financial aid eligibility.
